Gary is the author of Heartbroken: Healing from the Loss of a Spouse (2015) and Surviving the Holidays Without You (2013), and the co-author (with New York Times Best-seller Cecil Murphey) of Sayin...view moreGary is the author of Heartbroken: Healing from the Loss of a Spouse (2015) and Surviving the Holidays Without You (2013), and the co-author (with New York Times Best-seller Cecil Murphey) of Saying Goodbye: Facing the Loss of a Loved One (2013) and Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (2013). With over 250 grief-related articles in print, Gary is a popular speaker in a variety of venues.
Gary was raised in an environment of mixed messages and sexual abuse. After enduring numerous losses in childhood, his family finally disintegrated. He was taken in by the family of a close friend, an act of kindness that changed the trajectory of his life. His heart softened, and turned outward. He was drawn to serve hurting people.
Now, for more than three decades, he has been helping wounded people (like himself) heal and grow, working as a college minister, a missionary in Japan, and a pastor. He currently serves as a chaplain, writer, and speaker with Hospice Brazos Valley in Central Texas. Gary has seven children, including three adopted Colombian daughters. He and his wife Jen enjoy spending massive amounts of time together, even in the midst of the parental chaos. He enjoys swimming, tofu, and cool Hawaiian shirts.view less